Meet Literacy Volunteers Tutor Gail Rubin and her student Pamela
In Gail Rubin’s six years at Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville / Albemarle (LVCA), she’s worked with students from around the world, including Afghanistan, Tibet, Russia, South Korea, and most recently Chile. Her experience is not unusual—this year, Literacy Volunteers tutors at the Jefferson School City Center have worked with students from 38 countries.
Rubin decided to pair her love of languages with a desire to help adults and maybe even brush up on her Spanish skills. “I have found, of course, that it is not at all necessary to have the student’s language,” she said, indicating that it is just now—after six years with LVCA—that she is working with a Spanish-speaking student. Her student is Pamela, a young woman from Argentina who is here while her husband pursues his PhD in astronomy at UVa.
Gail’s love of language stems from her college years, majoring in French and living abroad in France and Germany. She and her husband Steven traveled extensively as sailors for many years, exploring the waters around their summer cabin in Nova Scotia. These explorations nurtured her curiosity about other cultures as well as her empathy for individuals in the United States navigating a foreign language.
Gail started working with Pamela last year and both women enjoy their time together. “I have friends, but Latin friends,” Pamela explained, indicating that she doesn’t have the opportunity to speak English regularly in her daily life. “Literacy Volunteers is my place. It is where I can speak English, only English.” In addition to twice weekly meetings with Gail, Pamela also attends one of LVCA’s conversation groups at the Jefferson School City Center.
“Pamela’s very committed to learning English while she’s here,” added Gail. “She knows how to study and she’ll take materials home and review vocabulary or whatever we worked on by herself. I’ve also had the occasion to invite her and her husband to the house, and just be social. We’re friends, and that’s fun.”
The next volunteer training opportunity for individuals who want to become LVCA tutors is on March 22, 2014. For more information, call 977-3838.
The Women’s Initiative Hosts Mindfulness Journaling
From March 10-April 21, The Women’s Initiative will be hosting a Mindful Journaling Group on Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm at its High Street location (1101 E. High Street, Suite A). Each meeting of the group will feature a period of mindfulness meditation, followed by opportunities to respond to journal prompts that will help the writer feel grounded in the present moment and connected to herself as a writer and woman. No experience in meditation or writing is necessary; simply bring a willingness to relax, breathe, and spend time writing in fellowship with others. Lisa Ellison, Ed.S, NCC, and TWI Clinician will facilitate the sessions. This is a drop-in group. Please call in advance or for more information: 434-872-0047.
Fitness and Safety Extravaganza at Jefferson School Saturday March 8
Carver Recreation Center and Martha Jefferson Starr Hill Center are partnering to throw a Fitness and Safety Extravaganza at the Jefferson School on March 8 from 10:00am-2:00pm. This family-friendly event will feature games, fitness activities, a bike rodeo, poison and fire prevention tips, and healthy food.
Comedian Darryl Littleton at African American Heritage Center
Darryl Littleton, author of Black Comedians on Black Comedy, Comediennes: Laugh be a Lady, and executive producer of Robert Townsend’s documentary,Why We Laugh will be performing at the African American Heritage Center on Wednesday, March 12. Doors open at 7pm event starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are $12.00 and $10.00 for students or seniors.
According to Fresh Fiction, Darryl Littleton began his career writing and performing radio sketches for “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” on CBS Radio. Since then, he has honed his stand-up skills and worked with other comedy stars, including Andrew Dice Clay, Eddie Griffin, George Wallace, Carlos Mencía, and Damon Wayans.
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Blue Moon Fund, Hampton Inn and Suites and WUVA 92.7
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
